Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will miss at least two weeks with a quad strain, causing the team’s championship odds to fall behind New York and Minnesota.
The Indiana Fever just took a significant hit in their push for a WNBA title. Superstar guard Caitlin Clark is expected to miss at least two weeks after suffering a left quad strain, the team confirmed this week.
Clark, who’s already considered a frontrunner for the 2025 MVP award, has been a central force for the Fever early in the season. Her absence is not only a blow to the team’s immediate performance but also to their long-term playoff hopes as the league continues to heat up.
Betting markets react to the news
Oddsmakers didn’t take long to respond to Clark’s injury. The Fever, who had recently held the second-best odds to win the WNBA championship, have now dropped to third. Indiana’s title chances moved from +300 to +360 at DraftKings Sportsbook, trailing behind the New York Liberty (+190) and the red-hot Minnesota Lynx (+340).
While Indiana is still among the top contenders, remaining one of just four teams with odds under 5/1, the shift underscores how vital Clark’s presence is to the Fever’s success.
Kelsey Mitchell steps into the spotlight
With Clark sidelined, veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell will likely take on a much larger offensive role. Mitchell, known for her scoring ability and leadership, will need to keep Indiana afloat as they navigate a tough early-season stretch without their franchise player.
Additionally, offseason pickup Sophie Cunningham could see her minutes increase significantly, potentially sliding into the starting lineup to help fill the scoring gap.
A promising start halted, for now
Clark had been electric to open the 2025 campaign, averaging 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game while shooting over 40% from the field. Her playmaking has been central to the Fever’s 2-2 start and their current No. 7 seed in the standings.
Indiana fans will be hoping for a swift and full recovery as the Fever look to return to playoff form. They reached the postseason last year but fell short in the first round. With Clark at the helm, expectations were sky-high. Now, the team must regroup and hold steady until their star is back on the floor.
